Mosakoli 10
1 Ndenge nzinzi ekufa ekomisaka malasi solo mabe, ndenge wana mpe mwa bozoba ebebisaka bwanya mpe lokumu.
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
2 Motema ya moto ya bwanya ekendaka na nzela ya malamu, kasi motema ya zoba ekendaka na nzela ya mabe.
A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.
3 Ata tango zoba atambolaka na nzela, bozangi mayele na ye etalisaka na bato mosusu ete azali zoba.
Yes also when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4 Soki mokonzi atombokeli yo, kolongwa na esika na yo ya mosala te; pamba te motema ya kokita epekisaka bambeba minene.
If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
5 Namonaki mabe moko na se ya moyi, lokola libunga epai ya bakonzi:
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
6 bazoba batombolami na bisika ya lokumu makasi, kasi bazwi batikali na bisika ya se.
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
7 Namonaki bawumbu kotambola likolo ya bampunda, mpe bakonzi kotambola na makolo lokola bawumbu.
I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
8 Moto oyo atimoli libulu akoki kokweya kati na yango; mpe moto oyo abuki mir ya lopango, nyoka ekoki koswa ye.
He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 Moto oyo abukaka mabanga akoki kozoka na yango, oyo apasolaka mabaya akoki mpe kozwa likama.
Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it.
10 Soki epasola esili minu mpe bapelisi yango te, moto oyo akosalela yango akobimisa makasi mingi; kasi bwanya epesaka elonga.
If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
11 Soki nyoka eswi moto liboso ete asakanisa yango, litomba ezali lisusu te epai ya moto oyo asakanisaka banyoka.
If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.
12 Maloba ya moto ya bwanya epesaka esengo, kasi maloba ya zoba elukelaka ye makambo.
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
13 Abandaka na maloba ya bozoba mpe asukisaka na maloba ya mabe.
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14 Zoba alobaka mingi. Moto moko te ayebi makambo oyo ekoya; nani akoki koyebisa ye makambo oyo ekosalema sima na ye?
A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
15 Mosala ya zoba elembisaka ye, ayebi ata kutu te nzela oyo ememaka na engumba.
The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
16 Mawa na mokili oyo mokonzi na yango azali mwana moke, mpe oyo bakambi na yango balangwaka masanga na tongo-tongo!
Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
17 Esengo na mokili oyo mokonzi na yango abotama na libota ya bato minene, mpe oyo bakambi na yango baliaka na tango oyo esengeli mpo na kozwa makasi, kasi mpo na kolangwa masanga te.
Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 Soki moto azali goyigoyi, likolo ya ndako na ye ekobukana; soki maboko na ye elemba, ndako na ye ekotanga mayi.
By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
19 Basalaka feti mpo na kosepela, mpe masanga ya vino epesaka esengo na motema, mpe mbongo epesaka biyano na makambo nyonso.
A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.
20 Kolakela mokonzi mabe te, ezala kati na motema na yo; kolakela mozwi mabe te, ezala na mbeto na yo ya kolala, pamba te ndeke ya likolo ekoki komema maloba na yo mpe kopanza sango ya maloba na yo.
Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.
